Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

Related Links

Late last summer, months before the 2014 recruiting class was signed, Michigan appeared to be lapping the field for 2015.

The Wolverines had two of the nation’s Top 10 players in the class committed and were building around them.

Five months later, both cornerstones are gone as Madison Southern (Ky.) running back Damien Harris became the second elite player in the U-M class to decommit, joining Florida receiver George Campbell, who rescinded his pledge in mid-December.

Rated the No. 1 running back in the 2015 class by Rivals and the No. 5 overall player, Harris was a coup for the Wolverines from a state where they rarely make an impact.

One of the reasons given: the strong relationship with former U-M offensive coordinator Al Borges, who was fired two weeks ago. His mother told GoBlueWolverine that wasn’t the sole reason but it she couldn’t deny its impact.

While both Harris and Campbell have said they will still consider the Wolverines – Harris’ mother told multiple outlets U-M was still No. 1 on the list – it changes the early tenor of that class.

Just last week, new U-M offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier visited to try to get to know Harris.

Now the 2015 class is back down to four commitments: Offensive lineman Jon Runyan, Jr. from Philadelphia, defensive back Tyree Kinnel from Huber Heights, Ohio, kicker Andrew David from Massillon, Ohio, and defensive back Shawn Crawford from Lakewood, Ohio.